What’s on in Venice

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEO CORRER Located in the heart of Venice, in St. Mark’s Square, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the art and history of Venice. For more info visit Museo Correr website

CA’ REZZONICO In this magnificent palace, now dedicated to the 18th century Venice Museum, you can see works of art made by great masters as Tiziano, Veronesethis magnificent palace, now dedicated to the 18th century Venice Museum, you can see works of art made by great masters as Tiziano, Veronese. Opening time 8.30 am – 5.00 pm (last admission 4.00 pm – Closed on Tuesdays) For more info visit Ca’ Rezzonico website

PALAZZO MOCENIGO Is a large building of gothic origin extensively rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, when it attained its present appearance. From 17th century, the palazzo was the residence of the San Stae branch of the Mocenigo family, one of the most important families of the Venetian patriciate. Discover the new itinerary dedicated to the history of Venetian fragrance: five rooms enriched by multimedial tools and multi-sensorial experiences. Opening time 8.30 am – 4.00 pm (last admission 3.30 pm – Closed on Mondays) For more info visit Palazzo Mocenigo website

CASA DI CARLO GOLDONI Carlo Goldoni’s House is a magical, theatrical place, in which all the resources of modern museum design have been exploited. Ca’ Centani, or Centanni, better known as “Casa di Carlo Goldoni”, built in the 15th century, is a typical Gothic palace, but still presenting the layout and typical elements of civil Venetian architecture between the end of the 14th and the early 15th century in spite of its several renovations. Open from 10:00 to 17:00, closed on Wednesdays. For more info visit Casa di Carlo Goldoni website

CA’ PESARO A magnificent baroque palace by Baldassarre Longhena hosts the International Gallery of Modern Art in Venice. Open from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Monday For more info visit Ca’ Pesaro website

CA’ FORTUNY This Gothic palace was transformed by Mariano Fortuny into his own atelier of photography and now is seat for temporary exhibitions. Open from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Tuesday. For more info visit Ca’ Fortuny website

MUSEO DEL VETRO Since 1861 the Museum, located in the ancient residence of the Torcello bishops, retains the best testimonials about the history of glass and Murano glass art. From the spread of the treasures made of “lattimo” and chalcedony to the fall of the early 19th century, from the Art Nouveau revival, to the joining with the 20th design and contemporary art. Opening time 10.00 am – 5.00 pm (last admission 4.00 pm) For more info visit Museo del Vetro website

MUSEO DI STORIA NATURALE The Natural History Museum is housed in the Fontego dei Turchi, built as a palazzo for the Pesaro family in the 13th century. With its imposing Grand Canal façade, it is one of the most famous secular buildings in Venice. Its double loggia in the so-called Venetian-Byzantine style reflects the purpose for which the building was created, as a trading depot for goods coming from the East; the corner towers are similar to the defensive structures that were part of Early Medieval family palazzi.In 1381 the building was given to Nicolò d’Este, lord of Ferrara, and then (in 1621) – after changing hands several times – became the Fontego for Turkish merchants in the city (the place where they were expected to live and do their business). It was used for this purpose right up until 1838, and then from 1865 onwards underwent extensive restoration work. Thereafter it housed the Museo Correr and later, from 1923, the Natural History Museum. Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last admission at 4:00 pm), Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (last admission at 5 pm) Closed on Mondays. For further info visit Natural History Museum website

CASA TRE OCI Public exhibition venue in Venice especially dedicated to photography, is proud to present the exhibition ‘Tre Oci Tre Mostre’. On the ground floor, ‘Private looks’. Photographs by Francesco Maria Colombo. Sixty portraits, between black & white and color. They are actors, philosophers, musicians, writers and scientists, all caught in its own context, free to choose the environment and attributes of their representation. For them, the scene is repeated each time with a different input, although always dictated by the intention of the author to fully understand his chosen subject. Then even the characters more shy and reticent can be expressed in the poses the most authentic. As a result, the photograph reaches that ideal of representation that preserves the bottom of the eye and the heart. For further info visit Casa Tre Oci website

PEGGY GUGGENHEIM COLLECTION The Peggy Guggenheim Collectionis among the most important museums in Italy for European and American art of the 20th century. It is located in Peggy Guggenheim’s former home, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal in Venice. The museum presents Peggy Guggenheim’s personal collection, masterpieces from the Hannelore B. and Rudolph B. Schulhof Collection, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, as well as temporary exhibitions. For more info visit Peggy Guggenheim Collection website

FONDAZIONE QUERINI STAMPALIA The Museum of Fondazione Querini Stampalia is one of the most important examples of House-Museum, in the heart of Venice, and it is one of the best preserved in all Europe. The noble floor of the Palace recreates the the magnificent residence of the Querini Stampalia family. The ancient collections containing precious furniture, paintings, porcelains, globes, fabrics and sculptures create an inseparable connection in a refined atmosphere, with the luxurious rooms covered with plasters and frescos. For more info visit Fondazione Querini Stampalia website

CA’ CORNER DELLA REGINA – PRADA FOUNDATION Ca’ Corner della Regina is a Venetian palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal that has been the Venetian headquarters of Fondazione Prada, which has launched 5 research exhibitions in this venue until today, concurrently with a preservation and repair programme of the palazzo which is developing in several phases. For more info visit Fondazione Prada website

PALAZZO GRASSI Located in Campo San Samuele and overlooking the Canal Grande Palazzo Grassi presents major temporary exhibitions some of which are based in whole or in part on the Pinault Collection. The building is the last palazzo built on the Grand Canal before the collapse of the Republic of Venice in 1797. Its nobility highlights the historical importance of the collection’s masterpieces that may well feel at home here in a dialogue between Neoclassical architecture and modern renovation solutions conceived by architect Tadao Ando. Palazzo Grassi is of interest to connoisseurs of contemporary architectural styles as well who praise their harmony. For more info visit the Palazzo Grassi website

PUNTA DELLA DOGANA The triangular-shaped Punta della Dogana separates the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal. As a center for contemporary artthe former customs house of the city presents exhibitions of works from the Pinault Collection the institution that supported the transition of this masterpiece of architecture so emblematic for the city from its eminently commercial function to port of contemporary art and ideal venue to share it with the world. For more info visit the Palazzo Grassi website

FONDAZIONE GIORGIO CINI The Giorgio Cini Foundation is a non-profit cultural institution based in Venice, Italy. It was constituted by Vittorio Cini, in memory of his son Giorgio, with the aim of restoring the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore (devastated after 100 years of military occupation) and of creating an international cultural centre that would re-integrate the Island into the life of Venice. For more info visit Fondazione Giorgio Cini website

ANNUAL EVENTS

In Venice the year passes by so quickly with its many traditional events, from historic beginnings as well as newly found reasons for celebrating or commemorating …in other words there is always something to do in Venice at almost any time of the year…

JANUARY

New Year’s Day The year begins with a celebration of New Year’s Day on the Lido – and a swim if you’re feeling really brave!

Regata delle Befane – The Epiphany 6 January An important day and a public holiday – seeing a rowing contest along the length of the Grand Canal for men of 50 and over. Anyone can try!

FEBRUARY

Carnival – ten days leading up to Shrove Tuesday Carnival, or Carnevale, takes place before Lent each winter, finishing on Shrove Tuesday. Events include pageants, commedia dell’arte, concerts and masked balls. Many people wear fancy dress for the duration of the festivities. An exciting time to be in Venice

Concerto delle Ceneri – midnight, Shrove Tuesday A traditional Lenten concert in the church of the Pieta in Castello – the famous Vivaldi church where orphans were taken in and educated, especially in violin and Choir..

MARCH

Su e Zo per i Ponti – second Sunday in March A marathon running race around the streets of Venice – literally ‘up and down the bridges’ , with the contestants running up and down the bridges, as the name suggests.

Benedizione del fuoco – Maundy Thursday/ Easter A ceremony in St Mark’s Basilica. The sacred flame is lit in the atrium of the darkened cathedral, after which a procession enters, lighting candles as they go. Spectacular

APRIL

St Mark’s Day – 25 April Feast in honour of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice. Celebrations in the Basilica and in the square. La Festa del Boccolo – Men give women a long-stemmed red rose, il “Bòcolo” (rose bud)) as a sign of their love and affection. A gondola race takes place in Bacino di San Marco.

MAY

May 1 Labour day – a festival and Regatta, held in the lagoon.

La Sensa: Marriage to the Sea – First Sunday after Ascension This is an annual ceremony which reaffirms the “marriage” of Venice and the Adriatic. The mayor travels with his party by boat to the Lido, and drops a gold ring into the sea before attending a service at the San Nicolò church. Anyone who manages to dive in and retrieve the ring may keep it, and is free from all state taxes for the following year.

Vogalonga – first Sunday after Ascension A rowing race over a 32km course, from Bacino di San Marco to Burano and back along the Tre Archi Canal and the Grand Canal to the salute Church. Try to watch it along the Canal di Cannaregio or the Grand Canal. Its a wonderful sight and a great festival atmosphere

Palio delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare – May or June, every 4 years A boat race in St Mark’s basin between four galleons representing the ancient maritime republics Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and of course Venice. There is also a historical re-enactment by a cast of hundreds in front of the Doge’s Palace.

JUNE

Sagra di San Pietro di Castello – last week in June A festival on the last remaining grassed campo in Venice of the famous San Pietro 4th century church

Biennale – June to October The Biennale is a modern-art exposition featuring painters, sculptors, and performance artists from around the world, which takes place in odd-numbered years. Most events are located in the Giardini Pubblici and at the nearby Corderie dell’Arsenale.

JULY

Festa della Redentore – third Sunday in July Religious ceremonies are held every year in the Redentore church on the Giudecca to commemorate the end of the plague of 1577. Visitors can reach the church by crossing the Giudecca Canal over a pontoon bridge specially built for the weekend. Decorated boats fill the lagoon to watch the spectacular firework display on the previous evening. A huge feast of traditional Venetian dishes is held along the Giudecca waterfront, followed by dancing on the Lido. On the Sunday a Regata is held in the Giudecca Canal.

AUGUST

Regata di Pellestrina – first Sunday in August This is held for the popular feast of the Madonna dell’Apparizione (the Virgin of the Apparition). The Regatta is held on the lagoon side of the island.

Concerto dell’Assunta – the Assumption day A concert is held in the cathedral on Torcello.

SEPTEMBER

Film Festival Early September This takes place in early September , and is second only in importance to the Cannes festival. Take any water bus to the Lido to catch the action, or book into the Excelsior Hotel and mingle with the stars!

Regatta Storica – first Sunday in September A procession of decorated craft along the Grand Canal is followed by a race for city gondoliers and other expert rowers. Spectators are expected to cheer on the teams and are often given appropriate colours to wave.

Regata di Burano – third Sunday in September This Regatta concludes the season’s rowing events and is known as the “rematch of the Historical Regata”. The competitions are held in front of the island. On land, the Regatta can be seen from the fondamenta where polenta, fish and wine are sold.

OCTOBER

Sagra del Mosto di Sant’Erasmo – first Sunday in October A festival on the island of Sant’Erasmo, with a Regatta in the afternoon for mixed teams.

Venice Marathon – second Sunday in October A marathon along the Riva del Brenta, finishing in front of the Salute Church.

NOVEMBER

Festa dei Morti, 2 November Crowds will travel to San Michele cemetery in the lagoon. The traditional sweets are FAVE (broad beans) a small round almond cakes- white, pink and brown.

St. Martin’s Day – 11 November Venetian children run through the city, banging pots and pans with wooden spoons. It is traditional to reward the children by giving them a few coins. Special shortbread cakes depicting St Martin on a horse are baked in celebration. This is traditionally known as a period of good weather….thanks to St Martin!

Festa della Salute – 21 November On November 21st each year, city workers lay a pontoon bridge over the Grand Canal from the San Marco district to the Salute church. Citizens walk across the bridge to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for delivering them from a plague in the 16th century. Menu of the day is the “castradina” stew (smoked mutton stew with cabbage) and caramelised fruit kebabs

DECEMBER

Christmas Market, Campo Santo Stefano – December Campo Santo Stefano, near the Accademia Bridge, hosts a spectacular Christmas market with a huge range of products on sale, from Murano glassware to sweets and decorations.